Adaptation and habitat selection in the eco-evolutionary process

Abstract

The struggle for existence occurs through the vital rates of population growth. This basic fact demonstrates the tight connection between ecology and evolution that defines the emerging field of eco-evolutionary dynamics. An effective synthesis of the interdependencies between ecology and evolution is grounded in six principles. Themechanicsof evolution specifies the origin and rules governing traits and evolutionary strategies. Traits and evolutionary strategies achieve their selective value through theirfunctional relationshipswith fitness. Function depends on the underlyingstructureof variation and the temporal, spatial and organizationalscalesof evolution. An understanding of how changes in traits and strategies occur requires conjoining ecological and evolutionarydynamics. Adaptationmerges these five pillars to achieve a comprehensive understanding of ecological and evolutionary change. I demonstrate the value of this world-view with reference to the theory and practice of habitat selection. The theory allows us to assess evolutionarily stable strategies and states of habitat selection, and to draw the adaptive landscapes for habitat-selecting species. The landscapes can then be used to forecast future evolution under a variety of climate change and other scenarios.